Jennie Lobato

As a child, Jennie sought refuge in art. It was her outlet—a way to cope with life’s stresses of growing up as a first-generation American in Jersey City, NJ, a community littered with drugs and gang violence. The artistic creation process gave her a healthy outlet to express life’s struggles that she could not understand at the time. Jennie had to act differently when she was out in public and learn how to survive and blend in as a daughter of immigrants. Art uplifted her, gave her confidence, and shaped the person she is today. Art saved her life as she often exclaims. After receiving a General Fine Arts degree from Maryland Institute, College of Art, Jennie proceeded to work in the Advertising industry for 10 years. After about 6 years into her advertising career, she no longer felt fulfilled and longed for something more meaningful. Contemplating what her true passion in life was, and still is, art, children, and helping people, Jennie took the leap and started drawchange, a nonprofit organization that aids impoverished children around the world through the use of art therapy-based programming. Her desire is to share with them a tool that allows them to envision a break from their cycle of poverty. Through drawchange’s programs, mindsets are changed from poverty to hope-giving power to future community leaders. Jennie dreams of empowering children so they may channel their creativity as a guiding force allowing them to fulfill their dreams and overcome the traumas they have experienced with racism, poverty, and overall, being looked at as second-class citizens. After 12 years in operation, drawchange continues to be a beacon of hope for over 2,000 children annually. Jennie lives her truth and passion every day through drawchange and is loving every minute of it!
A little more of my story can be found at drawchange.org/foundersstory